noordenbos



March 24, 1964 P. K NOORDENBOS 3,125,846

YARN PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF THREADING SAME Filed Oct. 14, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 PIETER KLAAS NOORDENBOS IN V EN TOR.

BY M

AT R Y March 24, 1964 P. K. NOORDENBOS 3,125,846

YARN PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF THREADING SAME Filed Oct. 14, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 P IE TER KLAAS NOORDENBOS IN V EN TOR.

BY M

ATT RN United States Patent Ofiice 3,125,845 Patented Mar. 24, 1964 3,125,846 YARN PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF TADING SAME Pieter Klaas Noordenhos, Ede, Netherlands, assignor to American Erika Corporation, Erika, N.C., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 14, 1959, Ser. No. 846,472 Claims priority, application Netherlands Oct. 24, 1958 2 Claims. (Cl. 5755.5)

This invention relates generally to a system for drawing or stretching thread-like or band-like products, especially yarns formed from linear polymers, and more particularly to a new and novel drawtwisting apparatus, as well as a novel method of threading in said apparatus at the beginning of a drawtwisting operation, or for doifing purposes.

A machine of the type to which this invention pertains consists essentially of a plurality of yarn processing stations extending longitudinally and on opposite sides of an elongated machine frame. Each station is provided with a rack for supporting yarn supply packages, yarn supply rollers, yarn draw rollers, and a yarn take-up or collection device. When drawtwisting the take-up of course includes suitable means for imparting twist to the drawn yarn, such as a ring twister. In most instances, a draw pin is positioned in the path of yarn travel between the supply and draw rollers to localize, at least to some extent, the drawing point.

Although this invention is suitable for adaptation to a draw-winding machine, or a machine which draws yarn without imparting twist thereto, it will be described hereinbelow in connection with a machine which performs both the drawing and twisting of synthetic yarn. Moreover, while the direction of yarn travel during the process ing is not material, the apparatus shown in the drawings receives yarn traveling vertically downward from a supply package supported on the upper extremity of the machine frarne. The converse arrangement of course could be utilized.

In the known drawtwisting apparatus, all of the twisting spindles of the ring-twister take-up usually are driven from a common moving belt. The drive motor which imparts linear movement to the belt generally also imparts reciprocatory or traversing movement to the ring and ring traveler supported thereby. All of the supply rollers on the machine usually are driven from. the same drive shaft, and the draw rollers are likewise rotated from a common shaft in order to produce point to point uniformity in supply and draw. An idler roller usually is associated with each of the supply and draw rollers and serves to prevent contact between adjacent convolutions of yarn, as is well known. The stretching or drawing zone is generally referred to as the area between respective supply and draw rollers, within which area is located the draw pin, mentioned supra, if one is used. The pin of course may be heated, if desired.

While provision of a common drive for all of the supply rollers, and for all the draw rollers, insures uniform stretch at a substantially constant ratio, common drive means also and inevitably results in simultaneous rotation of all the rollers, notwithstanding the cfiact that some of the rollers might not be processing yarn at that time, or might not be threaded up. This resulting wear and depreciation regardless of beneficial use of course is disadvantageous. Moreover, accummulation of considerable waste yarn is unavoidable when threading in a machine of this type.

The procedure for threading in the known drawtwisting apparatus is somewhat as follows. A supply bobbin containing undrawn yarn is placed upon the aforesaid rack and the free end thereof is threaded through a running-off eyelet or guide and passed directly to the winding system. This end is passed through the ring traveler and looped around a collecting tube placed on a braked or non-rotating twisting spindle. Next the spindle is started, or released for rotation, and nondrawn yarn is wound on the tube.

Subsequent to the foregoing, the following sequence of operations is performed as quickly as possible. The yarn is looped or passed a sufiicient number of turns around the supply roller and a cooperating idler roll, if provided, to prevent slip, then is passed around the yarn heater, if such is utilized; thereafter the yarn is passed around the draw roller and its cooperating idler roll, also a sufficient number of turns to prevent slip, and finally wrapped around the draw pin or pins to localize the draw point. It is at this point that the ring twister take-up begins to collect drawn yarn, all of that yarn collected previously being waste.

There are many disadvantages to the system described above. During the entire threading in operation, for example, yarn is wound on the take-up tube in an undrawn condition. Some of this yarn is collected at the high speed of rotation of the draw roller and some at the relatively slower speed of the supply or feed roller. In either event, the yarn is considered as waste because of the non-uniformity resulting from the thread in sys tem described. In addition to producing waste, this system also results in a considerable number of thread remanants or broken filaments which constitute an inconvenience during unwinding of the yarn collected on the tube.

Moreover, the forgeoing threading operation requires a high degree of skill on the part of the operators. There of course is a great risk of thread rupture because of the speed at which the fine filaments must be manipulated. If heavy denier threads are involved, considerable forces are required to stretch the same over the rollers and pins in an undrawn condition. Additionally, there is always the risk that the operator may catch his fingers or arms in the high speed machinery. It should be pointed out here that threading in tools intended to eliminate or at least reduce this personal injury risk have been purposed, but use of these tools necessitates added time and skill. Consequently, they have not as yet enjoyed wide spread application.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a drawtwisting machine and process for threading in the same not having the disadvantages enumerated above.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a drawtwisting machine which may be selectively operated according to the number of stations actually processing yarn.

Still another olbject of this invention is to provide a threading in process which does not subject the operator to personal dangers such as those described hereinabove.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a drawtwisting machine and process of threading in which substantially reduces the amount of waste yarn usually accurncmulated during dofiing or initial start up.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a drawtwisting machine of extreme flexibility and versatility but which may be operated by those skilled in this art without acquiring more training.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent upon study of the following detailed disclosure of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIGURE 1 is a perspective fragmentary view of a drawtwisting machine constructed in accordance with the teachings of invention, showing only two adjacent processing points or stations of a multi-station apparatus; and

FIGURE 2 is a partially schematic view illustrating one system of drive motors, generators, and electrical connections necessary to operation of the machine shown in FIGURE 1 in the manner taught herein.

This invention consists generally in a drawtwisting apparatus having individually and independently controlled supply rollers, draw rollers and collecting spindles. In other words, each supply roller, or each draw roller, or each collecting spindle may be disconnected from the respective drives therefor regardless of the operation of the adjacent comparable parts. With such an arrangement, threading in may be accomplished while a processing station is at a standstill, or not rotating. The preferred method of threading in comprises stopping the supply roller, draw roller and twisting spindle at the station being threaded, passing undrawn yarn from the supply package around the supply roller, draw roller and take-up, and simultaneously starting the draw roller and take-up while permitting the supply roller to rotate freely, or to be pulled along by the now traveling yarn. Immediately subsequent to this operation, the supply roller may be connected to the drive means provided therefor, which will result in slowing the rotation of this element to the prese lected speed of infeed. This of course will produce drawn yarn if the draw roller is driven at a higher speed, as is the case in the operation of this type machine. The twister take-up now will collect drawn and twisted yarn.

With attention directed to the drawings, one specific apparatus capable of performing the operation described above will now be described.

The drawtwisting machine indicated generally by refer ence numeral it comprises, briefly, an elongated I-beam type frame 11 which extends longitudinally of the machine and supports the drive motors to be described, an L-shaped frame member 12 which supports the ring twister take-up means to be discussed hereinafter, and a rack 13 on which the various supply packages 14 are removably mounted. The members 11, 12 and 13, together with other structural supports, form a unitary frame piece, making up the drawtwister proper. These and other details not shown herein are considered unessential to an understanding of this invention. It should be understood, additionally, that a drawtwisting apparatus according to this invention would be provided with a plurality of yarn processing stations on each side of the frame structure. Furthermore, since each of the stations will be equipped substantially identically, only one will be described hereinafter.

A reluctance motor 15 is secured to the upper side of I-beam 11 at each of the many processing stations. This motor, through gear box or transmission 16, serves as a drive means for rotating supply roller 17. Elimination of waste space may be accomplished by mounting motor 15 with its axis extending transversely of the frame 11.

An idler roller 18 also is supported from frame 11 and serves to separate adjacent convolutions of yarn on the roller 17, as is known. For reasons to be discussed more fully infra, motor 15 should be freely rotatable when in non-energized condition. The gear box 16 may reduce the revolutions of the motor shaft by any suitable ratio, such as 1:5. Motor 15, gear box 16, supply roller 17 and idler 18 together form the means for feeding yarn into the stretching zone at a constant predetermined rate of speed.

Another reluctance motor 2% is required at each of the processing stations. This motor may be vertically aligned with motor 15 and secured to the under side of beam 11, as shown. Generally, the gear box associated with motor 15 will provide a sufliciently wide infeed-outfeed speed range to accommodate any desired draw ratio; consequently, a gear box for motor 20 normally would not be required and has not been shown. The shaft of the lower reluctance motor 2% also extends transversely of frame 11, and at its outer end supports drawing roller 21. Another idler roller 22 is supported from the frame 11 and serves a function equivalent to that described in connection with idler roller 18. Motor 20, draw roller 21 and idler roller 22 form means for withdrawing yarn at a higher rate of speed from the supply means.

The area defined by supply roller 17 and drawing roller 21 may be referred to as the drawing or stretching zone, because whatever yarn elongation is produced by the different speed ratio between these rollers will occur in this zone. A drawing pin 23 may be used, if desired, to localize at least to some extent the draw point. This pin may be heated, if necessary, to produce varying effects in the yarn treated, as is known. Moreover, the single pin shown may be replaced with two or more pins, if such is found to be necessary or desirable.

Collection of the yarn discharged by drawing roller 21 is carried out by a conventional belt-driven ring twisting spindle mounted on the L-shaped beam 12, mentioned earlier. The ring twister take-up comprises generally a bearing pot 24 which supports the lower end of spindle 25 for rotation. A belt pulley or sheave 26 is rigidly secured to the spindle and, through belt 27, imparts rotation to a yarn collecting tube 28 clutched to the spindle. A knee-brake 30 permits the operator to disconnect spindle 25 from the continuously traveling belt 27 in order to stop the same for dofling or threading in. A traversing beam 31 supports a plurality of twisting rings 32, one for each spindle 25, also is known. A ring traveler 33 is slidably supported by each ring 32. A thread guide 34 is mounted coaxially with each spindle and serves to facilitate ballooning of yarn during take-up. Although not shown, the drive motor which imparts linear movement to belt 27 usually is utilized to provide that reciprocatory motion to the traversing beam 31 necessary for package formation. Insofar as concerns this invention, the belt drive motor may operate continuously, since knee-brake 30 permits de-coupling of the spindle therefrom.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that yarn passes from supply package 14, through a suitable thread guide, around supply roller 17 and idler 18, around draw pin 23, around draw roller 21 and idler 22, and thence through guide 34 to the traveler 33 and collecting tube 28. Other systems of course could be utilized, but this will suffice to illustrate the present invention.

With attention now directed to FIGURE 2, the novel drive motor system of this application will be described. In this figure, partition 35 separates the drawtwisting machinery proper from a generator station indicated generally at 36. An a-synchronous driving motor 37 is supplied energy from any suitable source. Rotary motion of motor 37 is transmitted through pulley 38 and drive belt 40 to pulley 41 of synchronous polyphase current generator 42. Shaft 43 extends from each end of the generator 42, and at the end opposite pulley 42 is provided with a toothed pulley 44.

A toothed drive 45 transmits rotary motion from generator 42 to toothed pulley 46 of a second synchronous polyphase current generator 47. The fixed coils or windings of generators 42, 47 are energized by an auxiliary aggregate comprising a-synchronous motor 48 connected to the network, and auxiliary generators 50, 51 which are mounted on the same shaft with, but on opposite sides of, motor 48. The dimensions of the auxiliary generators 50, 51 are so chosen that an economically optimum adaptation to the field coils of the generators 42, 47 is obtained. The voltages produced by the generators 42, 47 are supplied to the drawtwisting machine by the network 52, 53, while the networks 54, 55 connect the field coils of generators 47, 50 and 42, 51, respectively.

The input-output speed ratio formed by the pulleys 38, 41 and belt 40 may be varied as desired to adjust the stretching speed at between and 378 meters/minute at a constant draw ratio. On the other hand, the draw ratio also may be varied by changing the transmission formed by pulleys 44, 46 and belt 45. The use of these variable members permits the choice and adjustment of draw ratio between 1:3 and 1:1.65 at small intervals.

The generator 47 feeds ninety-six reluctance motors which are connected in parallel to network 52 and which may be switched on and off, independently one relative to the other, by switches 56. These switches may be mounted in any convenient fashion on front panel 57 of the drawtwisting apparatus 10, See FIGURE 1. In the same manner, the comparable number of reluctance motors which drive draw rollers 21 are fed through network 53 from generator 42. These motors may be switched on and off, independently one of the other, by switches 58. These switches also may be mounted on panel 57, as shown in FIGURE 1.

With attention now directed to FIGURE 1, one complete threading in procedure will be described. The switches 56, 58 should be thrown to that position which de-energizes respective reluctance motors 15, 20 from respective networks 52, 53. Additionally, knee-brake 30 should be engaged to discontinue rotation of spindle 25. Supply roller 17 should be freely rotatable.

With the various rollers in non-rotative condition as described, undrawn yarn from a fresh or full supply package 14 supported on rack 13 should be passed quickly through the eyelet shown and down to the stretching zone. Next, the yarn may be passed around the supply roller 17 and associated idler 18, around the draw pin 23 if used, around the draw roller 21 and idler 22, and then through the traveler 33 to collecting tube 28. The yarn now is completely threaded, but the various rollers and tube are still at rest. At this point, the knee-brake 30 may be released while switch 58 is simultaneously thrown to the closed position, which energizes the draw roller system at the same time the collecting tube begins rotation. Undrawn yarn will be collected on the tube 28, and supply roller 17 will be rotated by virtue of the yarn traveling in contact therewith. Supply roller 17 of course will rotate at substantially the same speed as draw roller 21 because of the said traveling yarn.

Immediately subsequent to the foregoing operation, the switch 56 may be thrown to energize drive motor 15. Since the speed of this motor is geared down through transmission 16, it will be seen that the speed of rotation of supply roller 17 will be reduced immediately upon energizing of the drive motor therefor. This operation results in drawing of the yarn contained within the drawing zone, or wrapped about draw pin 23. The procedure is now complete for the processing station under consideration, and may be repeated on adjacent stations when necessary or desired.

It can be seen from the foregoing that tube 28 collects undrawn yarn only for that interval of time which occurs after simultaneous starting of spindle and draw roller drive motor 20 but before starting of supply roller drive motor 15. This time interval may in fact be less than that required to describe the operation. Moreover, there is no danger of the operator becoming entangled with high speed machinery, since the entire station is at a standstill during threading in.

As an alternative to the operation described, it is of course possible to start the supply roller, draw roller and twisting spindle simultaneously. In this event, only that undrawn yarn contained on the rollers 21, 22 would be wasted. Moreover, less stresses are exerted on the yarn in the operation of this alternative, since the yarn is not used to impart initial rotation to the supply roller and transmission.

The present invention is especially useful for hot stretching thread or band-like products which pass through a heating zone immediately prior to passage around the draw roller. Difficulties usually are encountered in threading up this unillustrated system because the heater temperature rises when the passage of yarn thereover or therethrough is discontinued. This occurs because the yarn normally removes a certain amount of heat from the zone in its passage therethrough. Because of this rise in heater temperature, only traveling yarn should be threaded therein in order to avoid melting or burning of the heat sensitive material.

The present invention may provide a simple solution to the aforesaid problem if a pivoted guide roller is provided near the heater. This guide roller (not shown) should function to maintain yarn in contact with the heater in operative position, but displace the yarn out of engagement with the heater in inoperative position. The apparatus may be threaded up in the manner described hereinabove, with the guide roller in inoperative position. As soon as normal operating conditions have been reached, the guide roller should be pivoted to shift the traveling yarn laterally into operative engagement with the heater. This will overcome any danger of overheating the yarn when it first is threaded into the heater.

In the preferred embodiment described supra, electrical means are provided for independently de-coupling each processing roller from the drive means therefor. It will be obvious that mechanical means could also be provided. For example, each roller on a standard draw-twisting machine could be independently clutched to the main drive motor. Lock-in type clutches should be utilized to free the operator for threading in. Moreover, the supply rollers should be freely rotatable in uncoupled position, as mentioned earlier. The electrical drives are preferred, however, because of the simplicity of operation and potential variations in speed ratio.

It is pointed out that the twisting spindles 25 also may be driven electrically rather than by the conventional belt system shown and described. In this event, switch means would be provided to facilitate operation of one spindle independently of the other. It may be preferred, however, to combine this switch means with that of the drawing roller switch 58 to insure simultaneous starting.

Other variations and embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in this art. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of this invention be limited only to the extent set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of threading in a yarn processing apparatus having at least one yarn supply roller, at least one yarn drawing roller and at least one take-up, said method comprising the steps of discontinuing rotation of said supply roller, drawing roller and take-up by disconnecting the same from the respective drives therefor, passing yarn from a supply package around the supply roller, drawing roller and take-up while the same are discon nected, imparting simultaneous rotation to said drawing roller and take-up by simultaneously connecting the same to the respective drives therefor while permitting free rotation of the supply roller at a speed substantially equal to that of the drawing roller, reducing the speed of rotation of said supply roller by connecting the same to the drive therefor to complete the thread-in, whereupon subsequent operation will produce and collect drawn yarn.

2. A yarn processing apparatus comprising a plurality of yarn supply rollers, a plurality of yarn drawing rollers, a plurality of yarn take-up means, drive means for imparting rotation to each of said yarn take-up means, a separate electrical motor for imparting rotation to each of said yarn supply and yarn drawing rollers, a first generator for supplying energy to said electrical yarn supply motors, a second generator for supplying energy to said electrical yarn drawing motors, means coupling said generators one to the other in a predetermined mechanical ratio, drive motor means for supplying energy to said first generator, and means for de-energizing each motor and said take-up drive means independently of the others and 7 for permitting free rotation. of said yarn supply rollers in 2,766,505 disconnected condition. 2,787,113 2,884,679 References Cited in the file of this patent 2,887,842

UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 2,627,103 Jennings Feb. 3, 1953 715,799 2,728,973 Kumrnel Jan. 3, 1956 537,675

8 Weiss Oct 16, 1956 Rea Apr. 2, 1957 Hargreaves May 5, 1959 Cooker May 26, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Sept. 22, 1954 Italy Jan. 2, 1956 

1. A METHOD OF THREADING IN A YARN PROCESSING APPARATUS HAVING AT LEAST ONE YARN SUPPLY ROLLER, AT LEAST ONE YARN DRAWING ROLLER AND AT LEAST ONE TAKE-UP, SAID METHOD COMPRISING THE STEPS OF DISCONTINUING ROTATION OF SAID SUPPLY ROLLER, DRAWING ROLLER AND TAKE-UP BY DISCONNECTING THE SAME FROM THE RESPECTIVE DRIVES THEREFOR, PASSING YARN FROM A SUPPLY PACKAGE AROUND THE SUPPLY ROLLER, DRAWING ROLLER AND TAKE-UP WHILE THE SAME ARE DISCONNECTED, IMPARTING SIMULTANEOUS ROTATION TO SAID DRAWING ROLLER AND TAKE-UP BY SIMULTANEOUSLY CONNECTING THE SAME TO THE RESPECTIVE DRIVES THEREFOR WHILE PERMITTING FREE ROTATION OF THE SUPPLY ROLLER AT A SPEED SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THAT OF THE DRAWING ROLLER, REDUCING THE SPEED OF ROTATION OF SAID SUPPLY ROLLER BY CONNECTING THE SAME TO THE DRIVE THEREFOR TO COMPLETE THE THREAD-IN, WHEREUPON SUBSEQUENT OPERATION WILL PRODUCE AND COLLECT DRAWN YARN.
 2. A YARN PROCESSING APPARATUS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF YARN SUPPLY ROLLERS, A PLURALITY OF YARN DRAWING ROLLERS, A PLURALITY OF YARN TAKE-UP MEANS, DRIVE MEANS FOR IMPARTING ROTATION TO EACH OF SAID YARN TAKE-UP MEANS, A SEPARATE ELECTRICAL MOTOR FOR IMPARTING ROTATION TO EACH OF SAID YARN SUPPLY AND YARN DRAWING ROLLERS, A FIRST GENERATOR FOR SUPPLYING ENERGY TO SAID ELECTRICAL YARN SUPPLY MOTORS, A SECOND GENERATOR FOR SUPPLYING ENERGY TO SAID ELECTRICAL YARN DRAWING MOTORS, MEANS COUPLING SAID GENERATORS ONE TO THE OTHER IN A PREDETERMINED MECHANICAL RATIO, DRIVE MOTOR MEANS FOR SUPPLYING ENERGY TO SAID FIRST GENERATOR, AND MEANS FOR DE-ENERGIZING EACH MOTOR AND SAID TAKE-UP DRIVE MEANS INDEPENDENTLY OF THE OTHERS AND FOR PERMITTING FREE ROTATION OF SAID YARN SUPPLY ROLLERS IN DISCONNECTED CONDITION. 